Eat Clean, Live Clean Challenge

What is it?

A 6 week challenge designed to promote being the best YOU you can be. Daily points are logged for eating according to the rules, exercising at least 30 minutes a day, stretching at least 10 minutes a day, sleeping at least 7 hours a day (naps count!), and taking a fish oil supplement.

How does it work?

All participants who sign up for the challenge are partnered up with another challenger. You may either choose your partner or one will be assigned to you. You will be invited to a closed Facebook group that can be used for asking questions, sharing ideas, and support. A pre-challenge workout must be completed and body measurements will be taken. Each day, you will log your points before midnight. For every item that you eat that is non-compliant, you subtract one point, if you don’t take your fish oil supplement, you subtract one point. Neglecting to exercise is the only criteria that will cost you 2 points. Weekly bonus challenges are posted to the Facebook group as well – these can be anything from listening to a podcast to meditating 10 minutes a day and they are worth 5 points. At the end of the challenge, the same workout is performed and measurements are taken again. One team winner and one individual winner will be determined and they will receive a cash prize.

Common questions:

• Q: What can I not eat?

A: A comprehensive list of foods will be posted to the Facebook group and a printable cheat sheet will be e-mailed to all the challengers. The diet is free of gluten, refined sugar, artificial ingredients, corn and soy. Limited dairy is permitted in the form of butter (preferably grass fed), plain Greek yogurt, and heavy cream.

• Q: Do I have be a member of CrossFit Roux to compete?

A: Nope! Anyone is welcome to join the challenge, even if you don’t live in New Orleans. Walking counts as exercise and the pre-challenge workout will not require gym equipment. The bonus challenges do sometimes include CrossFit movements, but a modified challenge can be provided if the challenger is unable to participate for whatever reason.

• Q: Can I have alcohol on the challenge?

A: We do allow some alcohol that is not made from grain– wine, Ciroc vodka, and tequila are all compliant.

• Q: I’m overwhelmed at the grocery store, help!

A: If you’re not used to reading labels, it can be overwhelming. My best advice is to stick to the perimeter of the store because produce and fresh proteins don’t require reading labels! I’ll also be posting tips and tricks on the blog to help you not feel so overwhelmed.

• Q: So, you’re telling me this is all on the honor system?

A: Yes! There’s really no other way to do it! The cash prize is intended to be a fun incentive to add a little friendly competition to the challenge. If someone is willing to cheat to win a couple hundred bucks, that’s on them! Hopefully you will gain a lot from the challenge even if you don’t win!

• Q: Can I compete if I don’t have Facebook?

A: Yes! In the past, we’ve had challengers who didn’t have a Facebook account create a fake profile simply so they could be added to the group. If you don’t want to create an account at all, that’s fine—you just won’t have access to the group.